My dad is a singer (now retired). He refers to the effect's of age on the vocal chords as "losing your chops".

It is a natural process , and very few singers remain untouched by the toll of years! Some times it adds character to a voice,sometimes not.Im a singer too and also expect to 'lose my chops" eventually!

Some of the artist's mentioned may have (ahem) further degraded the quality of their instruments with recreational pursuits.....

I find it crazy how some singers have managed to keep their voice.. especially Earl 16.. From what I've heard, it sounds almost identical to how it was in the 70s.. (I'd like to have heard Prince Far I 30 years later too)

ephteeay wrote:I find it crazy how some singers have managed to keep their voice.. especially Earl 16.. From what I've heard, it sounds almost identical to how it was in the 70s.. (I'd like to have heard Prince Far I 30 years later too)

I was about to post exactly the same comment, his voice is fully intact, amazing indeed!

sicarius23 wrote:My dad is a singer (now retired). He refers to the effect's of age on the vocal chords as "losing your chops".

It is a natural process , and very few singers remain untouched by the toll of years! Some times it adds character to a voice,sometimes not.Im a singer too and also expect to 'lose my chops" eventually!

Some of the artist's mentioned may have (ahem) further degraded the quality of their instruments with recreational pursuits.....

crack cocaine gives you a hoarse voice also.

thank you putting this on here- best reggae track ever, apart from most bob marley﻿ tracks

sicarius23 wrote:My dad is a singer (now retired). He refers to the effect's of age on the vocal chords as "losing your chops".

It is a natural process , and very few singers remain untouched by the toll of years! Some times it adds character to a voice,sometimes not.Im a singer too and also expect to 'lose my chops" eventually!

Some of the artist's mentioned may have (ahem) further degraded the quality of their instruments with recreational pursuits.....

crack cocaine gives you a hoarse voice also.

I heard the effects of crack cocaine when I saw Wayne Smith live last year unfortunately. Still a lively performance but a definite voice change or decrease in quality. I'm sure he is not messing with the stuff anymore but it's damage has been done.

There are a lot of things that can degrade vocal chords.Straining the voice through singing too loud , years of hearing musicians playing instruments too loud adds to this problem for singers.

The voice is a very sensitive thing, even climate changes, cold drinks & air conditioners can make for a hoarse voice on stage.If someone does have a damaged voice, there are few workarounds that can help on the stage & in the studio.

Nobody mentioned the Twinkle Brothers! Norman Grant is not really the man with the huge tone range, but the quality of his voice certainly persisted. Daweh Congo is another good example- very specific sound of voice and still sounds the same ( even though I haven't heard any recent output from him).

Maybe instead of looking back to the past, you could also ask the question who are the best and most original vocalists of today? I'm always impressed by Lorenzo and Joseph Lalibela and I love the sound of Bunnington Judah's voice, even though he's more of a lyricist than a singer. Takana Zion also stands out to me.